During All-Star weekend Jayson Tatum told the world that he cared about winning the MVP. He also told the world that he believed he was the best player every time he stepped on the floor, no matter who was on the other side. We loved the refreshing public honesty.
But once you say you believe you’re the best player in the world, you have set the highest of standards.
We all accept that in the NBA there are nights where guys just don’t show up. They don’t have the energy. They don’t play with intent or force, especially when the opposition stinks. It’s not to justify bad nights, it’s to acknowledge the reality.
Most of us accept those things during an 82-game season. However, what is unacceptable is when the self-proclaimed best player in the world approaches a nationally televised game, on the road, against an actual MVP and defending champion, like it’s a Sunday morning at his local YMCA. And, that’s what we saw last night from Tatum.
This isn’t about taking only six shots in the first half. It’s not about letting the game come to him. There’s no issue with playing through others to start a game, especially when one of them has it going like Jaylen Brown. However, what it is about is not playing with energy, impact, force, or even effort at times. It’s the inexcusable sloppy turnovers. It’s plays like this one. It’s allowing Aaron Gordon to attack the glass and sky for alley-oops because you’re too busy standing around on defense in the 4th quarter of a close game.
When Tatum came out and said what he said on All-Star weekend, he opened the door for everyone to compare his performance against the best of the best. We now have benchmark games where he gets to state his case. And, until we get to the postseason, last night’s game is one of those benchmarks. While Tatum looked like he was in a coma most of the 48 minutes, an actual MVP spent his night ripping your heart out and having a 30-point triple-double performance in front of his home crowd. Let’s also not forget that MVP had nothing to prove.
The Celtics and Tatum want to be in rarefied air. They want to be considered the best team in the world. They are under a microscope as every eyeball searches their scalp with a fine-tooth comb. That’s how this works. You talk the talk, now you have to walk the walk. Until this team proves they can accomplish the ultimate goal, the criticisms and high expectations will not go away. They clearly understand that, but will Tatum embrace it and do everything he can to show that he and the team are the best? On Thursday night in Denver, that answer was no.
The Quarterback or The Ensemble?
We’re finishing up the first week of March and already the NFL Draft silliness and smokescreens have left me feeling bludgeoned. How about you?
For an NFL fan base that hasn’t had to deal with this kind of pick in over thirty years, this is the good and bad of having it: You have the opportunity to draft an impact franchise-changing player and are the talk of every sports show near and far. But for all of that good, you have to deal with the incessant rumor mill that could leave you delirious. And, when you root for a team that happens to need a QB, that rumor mill is in constant overdrive.
Well, “lucky” for us, the Patriots need a quarterback. And, so does Chicago and Washington. That makes it three-for-three. Not only that, but all three QBs predicted to go at the top of the draft rest somewhere between polarizing and concerning.
Drake Maye has gone from a surefire #2 pick to the possible #3 pick to maybe out of the top-5. We’ve heard it all regarding the former UNC QB: He has a great arm, but terrible footwork. He’s a tremendous athlete, but “drifts” in the pocket. He was great in 2022, but wasn’t in 2023.
Meanwhile, some say Jayden Daniels should go ahead of Maye, if not first overall. That’s unless you think he’s too small. Or, if you think his stats were padded by an outrageous 1-2 wide receiver punch at LSU. If those aren’t issues that concern you, maybe his age should…at, checks notes, 23-years-old.
Who knows, maybe Maye and Daniels will both get surpassed by Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. The guy who, during a championship season, wasn’t asked to do much by his team. Was that because they didn’t need it from him or because they didn’t believe he had it in him? We’ll find out.
But, whether it’s Maye, McCarthy or Daniels who goes second, most believe they’re all likely looking up at Caleb Williams. As long as you’re not concerned about him crying on TV or his dad who may or may not be too involved with his son’s career. Oh, and don’t forget Williams puts the football in harm's way more than the 2023 version of Mac Jones.
All of this conversation leaves most queasy and confused. Concerned that no matter who the Patriots draft at #3, if it’s a QB, they’re going to end up with a big fat bust.
That fear of the bust leads some to say, “Don’t draft the quarterback, because he’ll end up with a team with too many holes, and he’s bound to be a bum. Build the rest of the team first, then go get the quarterback!”
Yeah, we disagree.
The most important position in professional sports is QB1. If you want to give yourself the best chance at winning a Super Bowl, you find yourself a top-5 quarterback. Finding one of those guys is excruciatingly difficult. If your front office and staff believe the guy sitting at #3 can be one, you take that player ten times out of ten.
We’ll even double down: If that QB has to sit for a year, so he can develop and be ready to take off in 2025, you still make the pick. If “sacrificing” 2024 for development means you get 10-15 years of top-notch play, you unquestionably do it. NOTHING can substitute nailing a top-3 pick at that position. Nothing.
What about the other path, building the team and then getting the quarterback?
For those asking that question, we’d like you to look at the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have done almost everything right - Nailed mid-to-late round picks, spent big money on “missing pieces,” and hired a head coach who is regarded as one of the best in the league. They’ve gotten to two Super Bowls and come up just short both times. Why? Because their margin for error was too slim for their QBs to overcome.
Brock Purdy didn’t lose the Super Bowl, but he didn’t have that extra gear to win it in regulation after the Chiefs couldn’t get out of their own way through three quarters. That gave Patrick Mahomes just enough time to find that gear and walk away with another ring.
Now, maybe Purdy will find it. He’s young. And, if he does, we’ll look back and say that the 49ers were incredibly fortunate that Mr. Irrelevant became that guy. Much like we look back at Tom Brady being a borderline miracle. But, maybe Purdy won’t reach that gear, and San Francisco will always be an alpha QB away. A team built to near perfection, only to fall short at the most critical position of all.
Honestly, there’s no guarantee that the #3 pick will end up being a franchise changing signal caller. But, if you love the guy sitting there and don’t pick him, there’s no guarantee you’ll ever have an opportunity like this again. Love him? Take. The. Swing.
The Red Sox Did Something Right!
A few weeks ago we wrote about the Red Sox talking contract extension with some of their young talent and Brayan Bello going on record sounding optimistic that something might get done. Well, here we are, something got done.
Bello has agreed to a 6-year $55M deal that includes a seventh-year option. Excellent.
It’s crucial for the Sox to do what they have failed to do going back to Mookie Betts and lock-in the young talent that they believe are critical to the program. The richest year of the initial six will be $19M in 2029. If Bello hits his ceiling and becomes an ace, that money will look laughable.
And speaking of becoming an ace, this contract tells us that Craig Breslow and company believe Bello can be just that. You’re not handing out this commitment if you see the young and talented Dominican as a middle-of-the-rotation piece.
This is the key reason why you hired Breslow. The immediate priority is to rebuild the pitching at all levels. That’s supposed to be his bread and butter. Identify pitching talent, hire the staff to develop that talent, and reap the rewards. It says a lot that his first significant investment is in Bello.
A great piece of business. Now, go get Triston Casas done.